Category: Opinions

Opinion pieces do not reflect the views of Understanding Theology itself. They are included to provide readers with an understanding of the different debates and disagreements that are a part of Theology.

by Danube Noel-Johnson Introduction As contemporary analyses of the status of religion in modern nation-states suggest, secularism has led to the relegation of religious practices, belief, and values to the private sphere. The private—particularity, subjectivity, irrationality, religion, domesticity, the mystic—is distinguished from what is considered the public sphere, which is characterized by modern, liberal principles—universality, […]

by Theo Poward The story of ISIS since around 2014 has been one of terrifying spread and painful recovery. It was and is a plague. But unlike medical plagues, it prompts violence in its carriers, violence that destroys the societies that they belong to. The symptoms were obvious, brutish, and well documented. But, the cause […]

by Michael S. Hahn The cult of saints was one of the most prominent and significant forms of worship and devotion in the late-antique and medieval periods. However, in the last forty years, there has been a shift in scholarly opinion as to how this movement began and developed, and its place in late-antique society. […]

by Stephanie Redfern Jones A few nights ago, I watched an episode of the popular BBC television quiz programme, Mastermind, and although it featured notable celebrities, I was surprised to see Tim Farron. The ex-Liberal Democrat party leader resigned in June 2017 over what he said was clash between his personal Christian convictions and political […]

by Chris Lynch Amidst the rituals and tropes associated with celebrating Christmas, thinkers and commentators occasionally intervene to highlight how Christmas as practised in 2017 Britain is in some important respects culturally specific, politically problematic, and not as straightforwardly wrapped up with ‘authentic’ Christianity as commonly assumed. Motivating these interventions seems to be the thought […]

by Theo Poward You may be vaguely familiar with the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case which is currently pending before the US Supreme Court. In July 2012, same-sex couple Charlie Craig and David Mullins from Colorado visited Masterpiece Cakeshop in Denver to order a custom wedding cake for a celebration of their marriage. Masterpiece’s owner […]

By Frederik Seidelin Twelve years ago, in September 2005, the Danish conservative newspaper Jyllands-Posten published ‘Muhammad’s face’, an article whose alleged purpose was to discuss the issue of Danish media’s self-censorship with respect to Islam. The article was illustrated by 12 cartoons commissioned by the editor to portray Islam. A few of the cartoons seemed to […]

by Samuel Mellish St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate of Holborn, the supposed ‘National Musicians’ Church’ has closed its doors to “non-religious hiring”, undermining a strong history of hosting and nurturing musical talent. Despite previously welcoming groups such as the London Youth Choir, and housing the ashes of the founder of the Proms, Sir Henry Wood, the Reverend David […]